The word organic may mean different things to different people. To someone in the food industry, it means that products are free from pesticides or growth hormones. In the skin care industry, it refers to products that do not contain artificial ingredients, petroleum-based ingredients or other unsafe ingredients. Nevertheless, there are some skin care products that use the word even when the product it is used to describe actually contains petroleum and other noxious ingredients. After all, petroleum is not a synthetically produced product and should therefore be considered natural, at least that's their misguided point of view. This is why you should make a habit of reading product labels.

Anti Aging Ingredients to Avoid

The main idea behind anti aging products is fighting the aging process. However, the following ingredients can actually speed up skin aging and lead to wrinkles, dull skin and other skin problems. Make sure to check the labels before you purchase any organic skin care product.

*Synthetic Colors

Synthetic colors are made from coal tar and contain heavy metal salts. These components can produce free radicals and lead to eye wrinkles and dull skin. Avoid products containing FD&C or D&C colors if you want an effective anti wrinkle cream.

*Petrochemicals

This group of ingredients is derived from crude oil. Petrochemicals coat your skin and make it impossible for your body to eliminate toxins. This obstruction can lead to dull skin, and cause allergies and clogged pores.

Avoid anti aging creams that contain mineral oil, paraffin and petrolatum. Especially if you have oily or combination skin.

*Sulfates

These components are usually used to make soaps, detergents and cleansers. If the product you are about to buy contains sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, then it contains sulfates. Sulfates are known to dry out the skin and cause rashes.

*Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (Quats)

These components are used in conditioning products. However, they have been linked with antibiotic resistance. Try and avoid using products that contain benzalkonium chloride, cetrimonium chloride and cetrimonium bromide, among others.

*Alcohol

Alcohol should not be an ingredient in any type of wrinkle treatment because it dehydrates the skin and promotes the development of wrinkles. In fact, the only two alcohol ingredients that your skin care product should contain are stearyl alcohol and cetearyl alcohol.

These isn't a complete list of the ingredients you need to avoid, but it is a good start. By doing a little research, you'll find the best wrinkle creams out there.

However, not everyone has time to spare, so we've done some of the research for you.